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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 31st, 2023–Feb 1st, 2023

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Vancouver Island, East Island, North Island, South Island, West Island.

New snow may have a hard time bonding to existing crusts and hard surfaces. Approach avalanche terrain with caution as the storm starts on Wednesday and builds through the week.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity has been reported.

If you are out in the backcountry please consider filling out a Mountain Information Network report.

Snowpack Summary

On the surface, a supportive melt-freeze crust exists on most aspects and elevations, on northerly, sheltered terrain the crust is reported to be breaking down. There are reports of the presence of surface hoar on top of this crust. The crust ranges from roughly 1 to 10 cm. Below the surface crust, the snowpack is moist and generally well settled and bonding, with no current layers of concern.

Weather Summary

Tuesday night

Cloudy with clearing periods, no precipitation. Moderate northwest alpine winds. Treeline temperatures 0 to -5 C.

Wednesday

Cloudy with snow, 10 to 20 cm (highest amounts on the west of the island). Strong southwest alpine winds. Treeline temperatures around 0 C. Freezing levels 1300 m.

Thursday

Cloudy with snow, 5 to 15 cm (highest amounts on the west of the island). Strong south alpine winds. Treeline temperatures around 0 C. Freezing levels 1300 m.

Friday

Cloudy with snow, 10 cm (highest amounts on the west of the Island). Moderate to strong south alpine winds. Treeline temperatures near 0 C. Freezing levels 1300m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Pay attention to the wind, once it starts to blow fresh sensitive wind slabs are likely to form.
  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.